I am not really a manual reader I have no paitence for sitting there reading the seemingly mixed up language that makes no sense to me besidesI can usually figure out a camera for myself. That being said when I purchased my first digital (D70s) I also bought a ML guide for it I feel it gave me a clearer explanation of the most important functions of my camera in easier to understand language than the Nikon manual. The cameras original manual is indespensable for the nuts and bolts details but for a good general (fairly extensive) operating guide the ML books are great.